Ear Cropping?

[TxHorseMom]

I am not trying to start a debate on whether or not you should crop ears or not. This is for my personal education only. I have just noticed that some Mastiffs have their ears cropped, cane corso's for example, and other's don't, such as the EM. I have boxers and I don't crop their ears because I like the look of floppy ears, and we don't show. I did have one female that we rescued that already had their ears done and I was fine with that. Basically my question is what is the reason for cropping certain Mastiffs?

 

[dogman#1]

looks. the dog is suppose to be a guradian breed and people want it to look the part. also floppy eared dogs tend to have more dirt/ear wax accumulation then none floppy eared dogs...I have filas...very floppy ears, I clean their ears out once a mth and they are pretty intimidating with their floppy ears. in europe they are starting to phase out the docking of tails and ears to include the show ring...matter of time before that happens here as well. it makes no real diff except that people think it looks cooler.

 

[Sabrina]

It was 100% look for us...i love the look of a cropped corso

 

[Kandie]

It was 100% look for us...i love the look of a cropped corso

I totally agree. When I get my Corso, I will be having the ears cropped. Not to say I don't like floppy ears on a Corso, I just like cropped better.

 

[TxHorseMom]

Thanks! I think it kinda makes them look mean. Is that the idea? Because they are for protection? I appreciate your honesty.

 

[mia]

For protection breeds some of logic behind it historically is so that the predator/intruder couldn't grab the ears, as well it's said to enhance hearing. If you look at past photos of Dobes they were short, not the long show crop you often see today. If you look at dogs naturally in the wild, all have upright prick years, humans made floppy ears, well humans made dog breeds as well. There are benefits to an upright, prick ear besides looks. Each breed had it's purpose thus the different looks, cropped, docked, dew claw removal. Shame that they weren't bred from the get go that way but that's how it was done.

 

[Cody]

The Corso was a working breed. It was used on farms; hunting, herding, taking animals to market, guarding home and property... whatever the need was. It was a utilitarian breed. Which the name itself states; Cane = dog, Corso = Course/coursing (in Italian) I have also heard it meaning gate or entry way.
The ear crop originally was for that reason. If catching hogs or protection flocks from predators they couldn't grab the ear, thus giving them an advantage.
Prior to that it was the Mastino Italiano, a war dog of the Roman army, if you want to get into the romantic version of the breed.
Now it is about the historical accuracy of the breed, to maintain the original look.
I personally do not find the crop makes them look scary, it gives them correct expression.
I have had both, cropped and uncropped and I prefer cropped. Also here, if in the show ring a Corso with ears will get passed right by.

 

[VegasGirl]

I prefer the crop on any breed of dog that traditionally has cropped ears (Corso, Dobie, Pit, Great Dane). I think it shows off their head shape better.

 

[Caleb]

some breeds ears were cropped so that they wouldnt be vulnerable during hunts. nowadays its mostly for looks. i have an uncropped Cane Corso, and he has a very "classic mastiff look". thats just what i wanted. i will have the next one cropped just for the hell of it. i like both.

 

[AdrianVall]

I kinda wish English Mastiffs had cropped ears.. I would get my boys done. There ears get so incredibly dirty so quick.. its nasty!

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I like the cropped look. That is personal preference and I don't mind or demand that people agree with me or my choices I also like that I only have to give a quick wipe and the ears are cleaned out